ISTE 2011 > At A Glance > Faq

At A Glance      Conference FAQs

Registration

What are the registration deadlines?
Online registration for ISTE 2011 is open until through June 17. You can register onsite at the Pennsylvania Convention Center beginning June 25. See the Important Dates page for additional information.

When does the 2011 conference officially begin and end?
Workshops begin on Saturday, June 25, but the official conference kickoff is Sunday, June 26, at 1 pm. The conference closes after the closing keynote on Wednesday afternoon.

Can I pay with a purchase order or credit card?
Yes. Please visit the Ways to Register page for details.

Are all sessions included in the conference fee?
Yes, all regular sessions are included in your conference registration fee. They are first come, first served (except BYOL sessions, below) so arrive at your session rooms early to be sure you'll get a seat.

What is not covered in the conference fee?
Workshops, tours, and some special events have an additional fee; see the conference program or website (program search) for the fee icon .

I've already registered but cannot attend. Can I cancel or transfer my registration?
You may substitute another individual in your place at no extra charge, but the replacement's registration fee will be subject to pricing based on his/her ISTE membership status. Cancellations can be made through June 20, 2011 ($99 service fee applies to standard registrations). See Cancellations Policy.

Does ISTE membership come with my registration fee?
Non-ISTE members receive a standard one-year membership with their full conference fee. Visit ISTE's website prior to the conference, stop by ISTE Central onsite (in the Grand Hall), or call ISTE Customer Service for additional information: 1.800.336.5191.

I'm an ISTE member. Do I get a discount for the conference?
ISTE members who are current through the end of the conference (June 29, 2011), receive a discount on their conference registration.

Is lunch included in my registration fee?
Lunch is not provided, but there are daily refreshment breaks (Treat-ups), and continental breakfasts available Monday and Tuesday in the Expo (9:45-10:15 am). Read the Daily Leader onsite for other ideas about where to eat.

What is a BYOL session and why do I need to pre-register?
Bring your own laptop sessions are popular hands-on sessions that require you to register in advance (no extra fee). Any open seats still available five minutes prior to session starting will be released on a first-come basis.

Is there a group discount?
There are discounts for small groups (10 or more), and large groups (100+). See the website for special fees information or call the Registration Office regarding large groups.

What are the criteria for student registration?
To receive the special student discounted fee, you must be enrolled as a full-time student at the time of registration. You'll need to provide your student ID number and school name.

What does a guest registration include?
Guest registration includes admission to the opening gala and the expo, but does not include entry into sessions, workshops, or keynotes. See our Special Rates webpage.

Are children allowed at the conference?
Yes. Students under 16 and registered for ISTE 2011 may explore the Expo when accompanied by an adult registrant.

Can I get continuing education units (CEUs) by attending ISTE 2011?
Some states do participate. Visit our Earning Credit webpage for information, or contact your professional development advisor at the district or state level to see if you need to plan in advance.

What about graduate credit?
Visit our Earning Credit webpage for information and links.

Where do I pick up my certificate of participation?
Certificates of Participation for general conference attendance can be picked up at the ISTE 2011 Information Booth (13th & Arch St. entrance); Certificates of Attendance (for workshops) will be available upon request from each workshop's presenter.

The conference planner is great, but I have questions. Where do I go?
If you don't get the answers you need on the Planner webpage, email or stop by the Doctor is In station onsite, for assistance. Important note: adding an event to your planner does not register you for that event; this applies to ticketed events and sessions requiring pre-registration, such as BYOL sessions.

Can I sync the conference planner to my personal calendar?
Yes, after you login to the planner look for the Export Planner link in the upper left Toolbox. Then choose the method you prefer to import the planner information to your calendar of choice. If you encounter problems, email or stop by the Doctor Is In station onsite.

How do I find out about Volunteering?
Visit the Volunteers webpage or email . Onsite, check-in for volunteering at 12th & Arch St. lobby.

Housing/Travel

What if I cannot find a conference hotel?
Housing opens in November and fills quickly, but inventory gets released again in April and May. If you cannot find accommodations through the ISTE reservation system, contact regular hotel sites like Hotels.com or for group housing options, try Vacation Rentals by Owner.

Which hotels have free shuttle service to the convention center?
Conference hotels that are located more than a short walk from the convention center have shuttle service. Visit our hotel list and map to find those hotels. (Shuttle schedules are available in most hotel lobbies or at the transportation desk in the convention center.)

I'm driving. Where do I park?
There are several parking options around the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Please visit the PACC website for more information including hours and fees.

Onsite

Where do I pick up my name badge and registration bag?
In the registration area, located in the Grand Hall of the convention center.

Will there be a printed conference catalog available onsite?
The final program and exhibit guide will be in your registration bag along with a copy of the Daily Leader, and other special information.

I signed up for a tour. Where do I meet my group?
Tours will meet 15 minutes prior to departure at the 12th & Arch St. Lobby in the convention center. If you signed up for an evening tour that returns after hours, you'll be dropped at your official conference hotel. (See tour description for details.)

Are there accommodations for special needs at the conference?
Yes. Visit our ADA Accommodations page, or visit the main Information Booth onsite (13th & Arch St. entrance).

Am I allowed to record sessions or presentations at the conference?
Some presenters allow non-commercial recording of their sessions and some do not. Please review the Recording Policy page on our website.

Will sessions and presentations be available for viewing after the conference?
Sessions captured for VOD (video on demand) viewing will be available at isteconference.org. Look for the VOD icon online and throughout the conference program for a complete list of recorded sessions.

When does the Expo open?
ISTE 2011 Expo opens Monday through Wednesday at 9:30 am. See full expo schedule.

What is the best way to get updates at the conference?
ISTE Daily Leader, ISTE 2011 website and Ning, Twitter #iste11, ISTE Connects blog.

Will there be free wifi throughout the entire convention center?
Our free network is accessible in all meeting rooms and public spaces at the PACC, except in the expo.

Where do I get technical help, if needed?
Stop by the Doctor Is In station on the Third Level Mezzanine, to get help from our friendly, tech-savvy volunteers.

Is there a business center onsite?
Yes, the business center is located in Hall B Lobby, Level 2.

Is there a discounted rate for merchandise and books at the conference?
If you buy four books, the fifth is free. Merchandise (T-shirts, hats, etc.) is only sold at the conference.

Do you collect feedback about the conference?
Yes, a few days after the conference ends you'll receive an email with a link to our conference evaluation form. We appreciate your input!

What are the dates and locations for future conferences?
ISTE 2012: San Diego, California, June 24–27
ISTE 2013: San Antonio, Texas, June 23–26
ISTE 2014: Atlanta, Georgia, June 29–July 2

Visit links to past and future ISTE conferences under the About Us section of the website.